Influence of prior austenite grain size on the critical strain for completion of DEFT through hot compression test

A low carbon steel was used to determine the critical strain εc for completion of deformation enhanced ferrite transformation （DEFT） through a series of hot compression tests. In addition, the influence of prior austenite grain size （PAGS） on the critical strain was systematically investigated. Experimental results showed that the critical strain is affected by PAGS. When γ→α transformation completes, the smaller the PAGS is, the smaller the critical strain is. The ferrite grains obtained through DEFT can be refined to about 3 μm when the DEFT is completed.

A NEURAL NETWORK-BASED MODEL FOR PREDICTION OF HOT-ROLLED AUSTENITE GRAIN SIZE AND FLOW STRESS IN MICROALLOY STEEL

For the great significance of the prediction of control parameters selected for hot-rolling and the evaluation of hot-rolling quality for the analysis of prod uction problems and production management, the selection of hot-rolling control parameters was studied for microalloy steel by following the neural network principle. An experimental scheme was first worked out for acquisition of sample data, in which a gleeble-1500 thermal simolator was used to obtain rolling temperature, strain, stain rate, and stress-strain curves. And consequently the aust enite grain sizes was obtained through microscopic observation. The experimental data was then processed through regression. By using the training network of BP algorithm, the mapping relationship between the hotrooling control parameters (rolling temperature, stain, and strain rate) and the microstructural paramete rs (austenite grain in size and flow stress) of microalloy steel was function appro ached for the establishment of a neural network-based model of the austeuite grain size and flow stress of microalloy steel. From the results of estimation made with the neural network based model, the hot-rolling control parameters can be effectively predicted.

Modification for prediction model of austenite grain size at surface of microalloyed steel slabs based on in situ observation

The initial solidification process of microalloyed steels was simulated using a confocal scanning laser microscope,and the growth behavior of austenite grain was observed in situ.The method for measuring the initial austenite grain size was studied,and the M_(0)^(*)(the parameter to describe the grain boundary migration)values at different cooling rates were then calculated using the initial austenite grain size and the final grain size.Next,a newly modified model for predicting the austenite grain size was established by introducing the relationship between M_(0)^(*)and the cooling rate,and the value calculated from the modified model closely corresponds to the measured value,with average relative error being less than 5%.Further,the relationship between T^(γ)(the starting temperature for austenite grain growth)and equivalent carbon content C_(P)(C_(P)>0.18%)was obtained by in situ observation,and it was introduced into the modified model,which expanded the application scope of the model.Taking the continuous casting slab produced by a steel plant as the experimental object,the modified austenite grain size prediction model was used to predict the austenite grain size at different depths of oscillation mark on the surface of slab,and the predicted value was in good agreement with the actual measured value.

Effect of austenite grain size and accelerated cooling start temperature on the transformation behaviors of multi-phase steel

The transformation behaviors and microstructures of a low carbon multi-phase steel were investigated by the simulation of deformation-relaxation-accelerated cooling processing,using a Gleeble 3500 thermal-mechanical simulator.A pre-treatment of solid solution at 1200°C was implemented to minimize the influence on transformation from solid solution/precipitation qualities of 0.08%Nb in this steel.On this basis,the effect of austenite grain size and accelerated cooling start temperature were studied individually.The results indicated that the transformation of ferrite in multi-phase steel could be significantly promoted by the refinement of austenite grains and the increase of relaxation time,while the hard phase,such as lath bainite or martensite,could still be obtained with the following accelerated cooling.In contrast,more uniform lower temperature transformed microstructure could form from coarse grain austenite.The potential benefit of austenite grain size on adjusting the proportion of phases in multiphase steel was also discussed.

Analytical Investigation of Prior Austenite Grain Size Dependence of Low Temperature Toughness in Steel Weld Metal

Prior austenite grain size dependence of the low temperature impact toughness has been addressed in the bainitic weld metals by in situ observations.Usually,decreasing the grain size is the only approach by which both the strength and the toughness of a steel are increased.However,low carbon bainitic steel with small grain size shows a weakening of the low temperature impact toughness in this study.By direct tracking of the morphological evolution during phase transformation,it is found that large austenite grain size dominates the nucleation of intragranular acicular ferrite,whereas small austenite grain size leads to grain boundary nucleation of bainite.This kinetics information will contribute to meet the increasing low temperature toughness requirement of weld metals for the storage tanks and offshore structures.

Austenite Grain Size Evolution in Railway Wheel During Multi-Stage Forging Processes

The knowledge of microstructure evolution of railway wheel during hot forming process is the prerequisite of improving mechanical properties of the final product.In order to investigate the austenite grain size evolution of railway wheel during multi-stage forging process,mathematical models of recrystallization and austenite grain growth were derived firstly by hot compression tests for railway wheel steel CL50D,which then were integrated with a thermal-mechanical finite element model by the developed subroutines.The information about kinetics of recrystallization and grain size distribution during the forging process was obtained by simulation.The predicted results were validated by experiments in an industrial scale,and the average error between the predicted grain sizes and the measured ones is about 5%.The result shows that,under the current railway wheel forging process,the grain size distribution after final forging is inhomogeneous extremely.There is a narrow coarse grain zone between the external part and center of the hub caused by static recrystallization after final forging.With cooling of 60 s after final forging,the grain size is about 85 μm for the areas near the web surface and 175 μm for center areas of the hub and rim.

Effect of deformation parameters on the austenite dynamic recrystallization behavior of a eutectoid pearlite rail steel

Understandings of the effect of hot deformation parameters close to the practical production line on grain refinement are crucial for enhancing both the strength and toughness of future rail steels.In this work,the austenite dynamic recrystallization(DRX)behaviors of a eutectoid pearlite rail steel were studied using a thermo-mechanical simulator with hot deformation parameters frequently employed in rail production lines.The single-pass hot deformation results reveal that the prior austenite grain sizes(PAGSs)for samples with different deformation reductions decrease initially with an increase in deformation temperature.However,once the deformation temperature is beyond a certain threshold,the PAGSs start to increase.It can be attributed to the rise in DRX volume fraction and the increase of DRX grain with deformation temperature,respectively.Three-pass hot deformation results show that the accumulated strain generated in the first and second deformation passes can increase the extent of DRX.In the case of complete DRX,PAGS is predominantly determined by the deformation temperature of the final pass.It suggests a strategic approach during industrial production where part of the deformation reduction in low temperature range can be shifted to the medium temperature range to release rolling mill loads.

Grain Size Effect on the Martensite Formation in a High-Manganese TWIP Steel by the Rietveld Method

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of austenite grain size （AGS） on the martensite formation in a high-manganese twinning-induced plasticity （TWIP） steel. The results of a quantitative microstructural characterization of the steel by the whole X-ray pattern fitting Rietveld software, materials analysis using diffraction （MAUD）, indicated that the volume fraction of αbcc-martensite increases with increasing AGS. However, the value of the stacking fault probability （Psf） does not show a large variation for samples with different values of AGS under water-quenching conditions.

Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation and Experimental Analysis of Austenite Grain Growth Behavior in Hot Forging Processes of 300M Steel Large Components

The microstructure models were integrated into finite element（FE）code,and a three-dimensional（3D）FE analysis on the entire hot forging processes of 300 M steel large components was performed to predict the distributions of effective strain,temperature field and austenite grain size.The simulated results show that the finest grains distribute in the maximum effective strain region because large strain induces the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization.However,coarse macro-grains appear in the minimum effective strain region.Then,300 M steel forging test was performed to validate the results of FE simulation,and microstructure observations and quantitative analysis were implemented.The average relative difference between the calculated and experimental austenite grain size is 7.56%,implying that the present microstructure models are reasonable and can be used to analyze the hot forging processes of 300 M steel.

Effect of austenitizing temperature on microstructure in 16Mn steel treated by cerium

The change of inclusions and microstructure of 16Mn steel treated by Ce were observed,and the effect of austenitizing temperature on the microstructure was also examined.The results show that the inclusions are transformed from Si-Mn-Al composite oxide and MnS into AlCeO3,Ce2O2S,and MnS composite inclusions after being treated by Ce.Plenty of intragranular ferrites are formed in 16Mn steel containing～0.017wt% Ce.A large amount of intragranular acicular ferrites are formed after being austenitized for 20min at 1473 K.The prior austenite grain size fit for the formation of intragranular acicular ferrites is about 120μm.

Effect of Mo content on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of CGHAZ in offshore engineering steels

The effect of Mo on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of coarse-grained heat-affected zone(CGHAZ)in offshore engineering steels with Ca deoxidation was studied.The heat-affected zone(HAZ)toughness of Mo16 steel is obviously higher than that of Mo8 steel at all the heat inputs of 50,100,150 and 200 kJ/cm,with HAZ toughness of both steels decreased with increasing the welding heat input.When the Mo content is increased from 0.08 to 0.16%,the size of nano-scaled particles in HAZ is decreased from 18 to 15 nm,and their number density is increased from 0.7 to 0.9μm^(−2).Thus,the Zener pinning force is increased,and the prior austenite grain size(PAGS)is decreased,leading to the improved HAZ toughness.Microstructural characterizations show that the nano-scaled particles in both steels are Ti(C,N)with the solute elements of Nb and Mo.The calculated critical particle size of TiN is 10.2 and 8.4 nm in Mo8 and Mo16 steels at 1350℃,and the particles larger than the critical size are stable during the welding process.From the Zener pinning force calculation,Ti(C,N)particles play the more important role in the pinning effect on the prior austenite grain growth.Based on the regression analysis by the MATLAB results,the predicted values of PAGS at different heat inputs are well fitted with the experimental data.

Effect of Continuous Cooling Conditions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Carbon Steel Rod

The effect of cooling rate and austenitizing condition on the mechanical properties of high carbon steel (SWRH82B) has beeninvestigated. Specimens were made of high carbon steel rod and heat-treated by Gleeble-2000 to produce a wide variation in prior austenite size. Different cooling rates were carried out, and then pearlite interlaminar spacing and mechanical properties were measured andtested respectively. According to the results, it could be found that under the continuous cooling with the increase of cooling rate, tensilestrength greatly increases and reduction in area exhibits a slightly increase for an equivalent value of prior austenite grain size. Whenprior austenite size increases, reduction in area decreases, and tensile strength increases slightly for an equivalent value of pearlite interlaminar spacing. It is concluded that prior austenite size primarily controls ductility and pearlite interlaminar spacing controls tensilestrength. Mathematical formulae are given for these relations.

Effect of Multi-Step Tempering on Retained Austenite and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Steel

The effect of multi-step tempering on retained austenite content and mechanical properties of low alloy steel used in the forged cold back-up roll was investigated.Microstructural evolutions were characterized by optical microscope,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscope and Feritscope,while the mechanical properties were determined by hardness and tensile tests.The results revealed that the content of retained austenite decreased by about 2% after multi-step tempering.However,the content of retained austenite increased from 3.6% to 5.1% by increasing multi-step tempering temperature.The hardness and tensile strength increased as the austenitization temperature changed from 800 to 920 ℃,while above 920 ℃,hardness and tensile strength decreased.In addition,the maximum values of hardness,ultimate and yield strength were obtained via triple tempering at 520 ℃,while beyond 520 ℃,the hardness,ultimate and yield strength decreased sharply.

New Type Austenite Dynamic Recrystallization of Microalloyed Forging Steels 38MnVS During Forging Process

Hot compression tests of microalloyed forging steels 38MnVS were carried out on the Gleeble-3800 thermo-mechanical simulator at the deformation temperatures from 950 to 1 150 ℃ with the strain rates ranging from 0.1 to 10 s^（-1）. The effects of the deformation temperature and strain rate on the austenite dynamic recrystallization and microstructural changes were researched. The experimental results show that the dynamic recrystallization accelerated with the increase of the deformation temperatures and the decrease of the strain rate. The activation energy of dynamic recrystallization was calculated, which was about 275.453 kJ/mol. The relation between the dynamic recrystallization and the Z-parameter was investigated, and the state chart of the dynamic recrystallization of the microalloyed forging steel 38MnVS was made according to the experimental data and the deformation parameters.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Gear Steels After High Temperature Carburization

High temperature carburization is becoming more and more attractive because it can remarkably reduce processing time and increase productivity. However, the commonly used gear steels which are microalloyed by Al are not suitable for high temperature carburization due to abnormal grain coarsening. The gear steel 20CrMnTiNb, which is microalloyed with 0. 048% Nb and 0. 038% Ti, has been compared with the gear steel 20CrMn in terms of microstructure in the case of hardened layer and in the core after carburizing at 1000 ℃ for 4 h and mechanical prop- erties after carburizing and pseudo-carburizing. The results indicate that the fine austenite grains exist in the carbu- rized case of 20CrMnTiNb steel, while there is abnormal coarsening and duplex grain structure in the case and core of steel 20CrMn. The average prior austenite grain sizes are 19.5 and 34.2 μm for the steels 20CrMnTiNb and 20CrMn, respectively. In addition, the mechanical properties of 20CrMnTiNb steel are superior to those of 20CrMn steel. In particular, the HV hardness of the former is higher than that of the latter by about 40--70 in the range of less than 0. 7 mm in depth. Therefore, the steel 20CrMnTiNb is suitable for high temperature carburization.

Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior and Microstructural Evolution in SPHC Steel

The dynamic recrystallization(DRX) behaviors in SPHC steel were investigated with hot compression tests at deformation temperatures of 950-1 150,strain rates of 0.1-15 s-1,and initial austenite grain sizes of 86-232 μm.The effects of deformation temperature,strain,strain rate and the initial austenite grain size on the microstructural evolution during DRX were studied in detail.The results show that DRX is observed under the condition of the Zener-Hollomon parameter being less than 1.07×10 13 s-1.The deformation activation energy for SPHC steel is calculated to be 299.4 kJ/mol by regression analysis.Austenite grain size of DRX is refined with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate under steady state conditions,but it is not influenced by the initial grain size.The mathematical equation of DRX grain size of SPHC steel is obtained.

Comparison of microstructure and property of high chromium bearing steel with and without nitrogen addition

Microstructure and property of bearing steel with and without nitrogen addition were investigated by microstructural observation and hardness measurement after different heat treatment processing. Based on the microstructural observation of both 9Cr18 steel and X90N steel, it was found that nitrogen addition could effectively reduce the amount and size of coarse carbides and also refine the original austenite grain size. Due to addition of nitrogen, more austenite phase was found in X90N steel than in 9Cr18 steel. The retained austenite of X90N steel after quenching at 1050℃ could be reduced from about 60% to about 7 9% by cold treatment at -73℃ and subsequent tempering, and thus finally increased the hardness up to 60 HRC after low temperature tempering and to 63 HRC after high temperature tempering. Furthermore, both the wear and corrosion resistance of X90N steel were found much more superior than those of 9Cr18 steel, which was attributed to the addition of nitrogen. It was proposed at last that nitrogen alloying into the high chromium bearing steel was a promising way not only to refine the size of both carbides and austenite, but also to achieve high hardness, high wear property and improved corrosion resistance of the stainless bearing steel.

Effect of heat treatments on Charpy impact properties of 15Cr12MoVWN ferritic/martensitic steel

The Charpy impact properties of 15Cr12MoVWN ferritic/martensitic steel for sodium-cooled reactors with variation in heat treatment factors and parameters are reported.The results show that the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)increased and the upper shelf energy(USE)decreased with increase in normalizing temperature.However,the variation tendency of DBTT and USE was the opposite with increase in tempering temperature.The tempering temperature showed a greater influence on USE than the normalizing temperature,and normalizing and tempering temperatures had the equally significant effects on DBTT,but the cooling method was not a significant factor for DBTT and USE.The prior austenite grain and M_(23)C_(6) size were the main influences on DBTT,and the dislocation density was the main factor affecting the variation of USE.The heat-treatment regime recommended for 15Cr12MoVWN steel was composed of normalizing at 1000-1050℃ for 0.5 h followed by water quenching or air cooling and tempering at 760℃ for 1.5 h.